Through Ancient DNA analysis, research reveal that there could be a link between the spread of the disease and squirrels

Ancient DNA analysis of a skull of a woman from East Anglia, afflicted by pathological lesions, has indicated that rodents may contribute to the spread  of diseases. When the skull was first analyzed some abnormalities were apparent on its face and were linked to a number of diseases including leprosy. Through the analysis of Ancient DNA, researchers were able to confirm that this woman was afflicted by leprosy. Furthermore, they found that the bacterium that caused this disease was also present in other human skeletal remains from Denmark and Sweden, as well as living squirrels from the south of England suggesting that these small animals could have contributed to the  spread of  this serious disease.

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https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/squirrels-contributed-spread-leprosy-great-britain.htm

Axelle